Adios Mick, Mo and Mel.

We (just Mog!) are parked for a second
night at a fine but expensive campsite (Huimpalay-Tray) on the south side of
Lago Villarrica between Villarrica and
Puconin Chile. Facilities include a pool, soccer field,
tennis/volleyball courts, and big lake side lots with picnic tables, beach and
a sizzling view.

Yes that is a volcano in the background, and yes that is smoke
coming from it, and it glows red at night! It last erupted in a big way in
1971, and is considered very active.

"But where is Mel" I hear you ask.

It had always been Mick and Mo's intention to ship Mel from the
west coast of South America to Australia. They have been trying to book either
a RoRo or a Flat-rack from Santiago to Australia for the last four months. With
very little success.

Not only could they not get a ship booked, they could not even get
a sensible answer from the ship's agents in Santiago. Eventually after a
frustrating barrage of e-mails, the agent eventually admitted that there were
no suitable ships. So after four months of wasted effort, Mick and Mo had to
change their plans and attempt to ship Mel to Australia via the UK!

This meant trying to book a place on one of the Grimaldi RoRo
ships that sail from Buenos Aires to the UK every two weeks. Grimaldi is
unusual (unique?) in that they have five or six cabins available on their ships
so that you can travel with your vehicle. Traveling with your vehicle makes the
logistics of exporting it from Argentina and importing it back into the UK far
simpler.

The end result is that today Mick and Mo found out that the only
ship with space available leaves in about a week from the other side of the
continent! Hence their abrupt departure. Good-bye Mick, Mo and Mel. Thanks for
the memories. You will be missed!

Both Mog and K-Nine will be returning to the UK on Grimaldi ships
in the next few months. When we leave I will do a detailed web page on the
procedure and why it is best to book in France with an Italian company sailing
from Argentina to the UK.

Stephen
Stewart.

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